Skip to main content

“We have been redeemed from the curse not only to enjoy blessing but also to pass it on to others.”

A thought by Jon Tyson from his book, The Burden Is Light: Liberating Your Life from the Tyranny of Performance and Success (p. 98). The Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

So many around us feel as if they are living under a curse but are seeking a blessing.

Jon says, “John Ortberg again gets at the heart of this: ‘Blessing and cursing are not compartmentalized Bible words at all. They are simply the two ways that we treat people. They are as inseparable as breathing in and breathing out.’ (Ortberg, Soul Keeping, 154–55.)  What would it look like for you to begin to be a source of blessing to those around you?

Jon goes on, “We often underestimate the power of the words we speak into the lives of others. Words create worlds. God said, ‘Let there be…’ and there was. We can shape hearts and minds and identities by the things we speak into others. That’s why James is mortified by the thought of someone worshipping God with passionate emotion at church, then speaking hurtful words to others during the week. He writes, ‘With the tongue, we praise our Lord and Father, and with it, we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.’ (James 3:9-10). When I first realized the ability to bless or curse those around me, I was deeply convicted, especially about the way I spoke to my family. In Proverbs, we read, ‘The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.’ (Proverb 12:18) I had to come to terms with my harsh temper and careless words. I was walking around piercing those I loved with cutting comments, sarcastic wit, and outbursts of anger. In particular, I had to ask my wife for forgiveness. She has been wounded a lot in life, and I could see the immediate healing that began when I admitted my wrong, asked for her help, and started to speak blessings over her.”

He later says, “I have resolved that my words will heal and not pierce. I want to create worlds of hope, grace, and confidence in those I love the most. Is this something you need to do?... What healing might begin, or what new worlds might be possible, because you choose to speak blessings rather than curses to those around you?

Would you right now stop and resolve that your words will heal and no pierce, will you choose to speak blessing rather than curses?  Will you?

Yes, yes!
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

“There’s a big difference between building a castle and building a kingdom.”

A thought by Bob Goff from his book, Everybody, Always: Becoming Love in a World Full of Setbacks and Difficult People ( p. 41). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)   Have you ever built a sand castle or maybe a Lego castle?   Have you? Bob says, “We actually build castles all the time, out of our jobs and our families and the things we’ve purchased. Sometimes we even make them out of each other. Some of these castles are impressive too. Lots of people come to admire what we’ve built over the course of our lives and tell us what great castles we have. But Jesus told His friends we weren’t supposed to spend our lives building castles. He said He wanted us to build a kingdom, and there’s a big difference between building a castle and building a kingdom.” Bob goes on, “You see, castles have moats to keep creepy people out, but kingdoms have bridges to let everyone in. Castles have dungeons for people who ha...
Post a Comment
Read more

“God does big things with small deeds.”

A thought by Max Lucado (2011-05-02) from his book, Cure for the Common Life (p. 115). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) I don’t know how you feel about what you are doing and how it can make a difference.   You may feel that it is so small and not even worth the effort. Max says, “Begin. Just begin! What seems small to you might be huge to someone else. Just ask Bohn Fawkes. During World War II, he piloted a B-17. On one mission he sustained flak from Nazi antiaircraft guns. Even though his gas tanks were hit, the plane did not explode, and Fawkes was able to land the plane. “On the morning following the raid, Fawkes asked his crew chief for the German shell. He wanted to keep a souvenir of his incredible good fortune. The crew chief explained that not just one but eleven shells had been found in the gas tanks, none of which had exploded. “Technicians opened the missiles and found them void of explosive cha...
Post a Comment
Read more

"Lie 2: The more you worry about it, the better your odds of avoiding it."

A thought by Louie Giglio in his book,   Winning the War on Worry    (p. 5). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon to buy the book.) Here is another lie that the Enemy uses with us. And Louie says, "This is a tricky lie. Yes, we often have cause for concern and preparation. But the Enemy wants you to believe that if you worry or fret over a certain outcome long enough, you can keep something bad from happening." But this is so important to realize. He says, "The reality is worrying has never once prevented something negative from happening. Planning might. Prayer has. But worry never will." He continues, "The Enemy tells you that by worrying about a situation (or every situation) you can make your tomorrow better. Really, worry just robs you of today. Jesus implored us: 'I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body mor...
Post a Comment
Read more